As Hamilton County voters decide how (or whether) to vote in the upcoming May primary there are more things to decide than which GOP candidate for governor will throw more people off of Medicaid, or grovel more deeply to President Trump. On our local ballot are two property tax levies: An increase for our public library, and a renewal for our zoo.

Zoo levy proponents are working hard to get beyond the Harambe debacle (that’s so 2016). The poster girl for the zoo levy campaign is that plump media darling, Fiona, the baby hippo. She already had her own Graeter’s flavor, story books and sundry plush collectibles. Now, Fiona is popping up on yard signs all over town.

Like many Hamilton County voters, I can’t imagine saying “no” to Fiona. Let’s keep her fat and happy on herbivore pellets and fresh honeydews for years to come. Likewise, who can say no to books, just as HBO launches its “Fahrenheit 451” re-boot!

But the dirty little secret is that the burden of feeding Fiona and keeping our library shelves stocked is falling on the ever-shrinking portion of Hamilton County voters.

The ongoing tax abatement palooza at Cincinnati City Hall is creating a stark division among local property owners: On one side are those of us that pay “retail.” Others get a very, very deep discount.

Recently, the city responded to a public records request by producing spreadsheets that lay out the story in its gory details: Over 285 commercial properties have received community reinvestment area (CRA) abatements in recent years. The total amount of current “abated value” for those projects (i.e. the amount of value NOT taxed) is more than $676 million. An additional 1,342 residential properties have been abated, with a total abated value ( so far) of more than $164 million. That totals more than $841 million of city of Cincinnati real estate value that will not be taxed to feed Fiona or keep our libraries open. And while some abated property owners may pay a quarter of their school taxes, they get a free pass when it comes to the value of their new buildings for levies dedicated to the zoo, library, senior services, children services, county parks, hospitals, mental health, etc.

In the meantime, those of us who own older, unabated homes in the city will pick up an ever-increasing chunk of the costs of these levies.

These tax abatements – which can last from 10 to 25 years depending on the whim of the mayor and City Council – save these privileged taxpayers about $20 million annually. That would go a long way to pay for local services, including the zoo and the library. And more abatements are coming.

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Those are big numbers. But how do abatements work for individual property owners? Here are some examples:

Walt and Wendy Westwood home owner, paying the mortgage on a $250,000 home, pay a total of about $6,100 in real estate taxes each year, with $288 going to the library, if the additional levy passes, and $25 going to the zoo.

But look at one abated commercial property: the Keystone Park II project at 2155 Dana Ave. It has a value of nearly $24 million. But its owners pay only about $242 per year to the library, and $104 to the zoo.

What about Queen City Square, that gleaming new downtown office tower at 301 E. 4th St., home of the tony Restaurant L and some of Cincinnati’s highest-powered corporations and law firms? It’s valued at $243 million. Thanks to abatements, its owners pay a miserly $710 to the library and $320 annually to the zoo. Fun fact: The owners of any new $250 million FC Cincinnati stadium, which will also be abated, will likely pay even less.

Owners of new luxury homes also get big tax abatement discounts. Take the new $1.28 million residence at 400 Baum St. in Mount Adams. The owners will pay only $15 to feed Fiona this year, and $44 for the library. That’s even a better deal than the great views!

Once Walt and Wendy Westwood, or other local homeowners, realize that they pay more to the zoo or library than the owner of that posh new $1.28 million Mount Adams home with the spectacular river view, will they be less likely to vote for the latest round of tax levies? It's time for City Council to start reining in all those tax abatements, before Fiona becomes a hungry, hungry grown-up hippo.

Clifton resident Don Mooney is a retired labor attorney and a member of The Enquirer's Board of Contributors.